Today is my 26th birthday. Sure, happy birthday to me... but the real birthday surprise and celebration comes from the great news we found out today... the baby we are expecting at the end of May 2012 is a GIRL!

I told my husband as soon as we found out (in September) that if it is a girl, and we were able to find out before Christmas, that we would have a pink Christmas tree... he said okay, of course (because he loves me so much!), probably thinking the odds of finding out before Christmas were slim. Sorry hubby, and my dear son...

It's a girl!

So I went to Walmart, got a little 3.5' pink tree, pre-lit, and went down their ornament aisle (awesomely color-coded) and got lovely pink and purple ornaments! I bought pink and purple spray paint for a table (for the tree to sit on), and got some pink tulle for under the tree, to cover the plastic base. There was obviously a lot of glitter involved on the ornaments as well...

I came home, spray painted an Ikea side table, set up the tree, decorated it, and had a BLAST. It is honestly the prettiest little tree I've ever seen... as far as pink Christmas trees are concerned, anyways. Hubby agrees, says it's adorable.

Did I mention that this is how we announced it to family and friends? I thought it was a pretty cute idea... Also, all of this only cost me less than $50. I already had the side table, but if you want to count it-- no more than $70!

Enjoy the photos... our lovely little pink Christmas tree for our sweet little Lily Mae, expected at the end of May 2012!

Today was a great day! I met up with my friends Alicia and Ryan, a wonderful couple expecting their first baby very soon. We went over to Fairview Park in Costa Mesa to take some couple maternity photos. Fairview Park is absolutely beautiful. It sits on the bluffs in Costa Mesa which overlook Huntington Beach. It's full of lovely plants and wildlife, and is kind of a little nature sanctuary nestled in a busy suburb.

It was such a pleasure taking photos of Alicia and Ryan because they are a photographers dream... They absolutely love each other and are so completely at ease when they're together. The camera loves them, and feeds off of their happiness. Just by looking at the photos, you can see how truly excited they are to become parents... being a relatively new mommy myself, I totally understand how they feel.

Alicia and Ryan, I am so happy for you two and I can't wait until you get to experience all the wonderful new things that come with being a Mommy and Daddy. Thank you so much for letting me take your photos, and I wish you nothing but happiness with your little boy!

Melody Calvert Photography | An on-site photographer serving both Orange County and the Inland Empire, specializing in families, couples, and candid moments.I hope you have a happy day, full of SMILES!